7 Top Attractions of Verona Italy, Day Trip from Venice

Verona has such a calm aura around it, unfortunately it does not figure high in the tourism map of Italy. And that is so unfair! Partially influenced by this opinion we did not allot much time to this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site of Italy. I truly regret this. I did not have enough of Verona.

Day Trip to Verona from Venice

After hiring the car from car rental AVIS in Venice airport we set off for Verona. The distance is 117km via A4/E70 which could have been covered in one and half hours. However driving from Venice to Verona took us slightly more than 3 hours, we took double the time. It shouldn’t have taken that long, but getting accustomed to the left hand driving, sign boards, GPS instructions and distracting scenic sights (for which we stopped often), delayed us considerably. This was our first road trip in Europe, a memorable one!

It was past two when we finally reached the charming town of Verona. We took tips from hotel staff to tour the top attractions of Verona Italy. There is much more than the Romeo and Juliet window there. A few hours of tour through the different top attractions of Verona we could fully relate to Shakespeare as to Why Verona is known as The City of Love!

Attractions of Verona Italy

Charming House in Town of Verona Italy

Top Attractions of Verona Italy

Verona town has been awarded world heritage site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. Additionally, this city is popular for the most famous fictitious lovers in history: Romeo and Juliet. You can do a self guided walking Tour of the town. Here is a list of things to do and see in one day in Verona.

Ponte Pietra of 100BC

Ponte Pietra (translates to stone bridge in Italian language) is a cute little Roman arch bridge over River Adige. It is the oldest bridges of Verona dating back to 100BC! Of course it has been rebuilt couple of times and more. The last damage done by German retreating troops after WWII and the bridge rebuilt with original materials in 1957. It connects the old city of Verona with Teatro Romano and Castel San Pietro. We drove through it.

Piazzale Castel San Pietro

The Castel was closed when we visited. We were advised by the receptionist of our hotel to head to Castel San Pietro. “It will be closed, but the panoramic view of the town of Verona will compensate for not visiting the individual sites.” And he was so right, the view we got of the town from there was extremely good.

Piazzale Castel San Pietro Verona Italy

Piazzale Castel San Pietro Verona

Ponte Scaligero

It is also called the Castel Vecchio Bridge. Lined with red brick made M shaped merlons the bridge looks stunning.  It was made in 14th century and is reputed to be the longest one of its time.

River Adige through the town of Verona. View of multiple roof tops and church steeples.

Castlevecchio Verona

Castlevecchio was the home of Verona’s ruling Scaligeri family during the 14th century. The town of Verona flourished during this Scaligeri family’s rule. They now use rooms of the castle to display an amazing collection of art and antiquities.Worth spending time to collection of paintings and views around. Read more: Tour of Castlevecchio, City of Verona, Italy 

The sky was cloudy, it could rain any moment, but it didn’t that day. Weather so pleasant, what more could we ask for! The many bridges that connect the old and the new Verona.

Piazza delle Erbe

This square is a lively place surrounded by historic monuments and features in top attractions of Verona Italy. If you are lucky to land on a market day there you can indulge in people watching. Plenty to shop around or relax at one of the cafes. Note the statue of Madonna Verona, a Roman sculpture dating to 380 AD mounted on a fountain in the center of the square.

Also just around the corner from this Piazza, you will find 5 Gothic funerary monuments. Incredible Gothic art work! The tombs belong to the Scaligeri family in Verona during 13th and 14th centuries. Behind these tombs is the church of Santa Maria Antica.

Verona Arena, a Roman Amphitheater

This is one of the best monuments and must see top attractions of Verona Italy. Romans had built this arena for gladiator fights, tournaments, races and markets. Restoration and maintenance works in it has preserved this in a wonderful usable condition. Read more: Visit to Verona Arena Roman Amphitheater Italy

Verona Italy ARENA

Verona Arena

Piazza Bra

Just out side the Arena is Piazza Bra. It is the largest Piazza of Verona lined with several cafes, restaurants and old buildings. A fair was on that day and the place was crowded.

Piazza Bra verona

Piazza Bra Verona

Where to Stay in Verona?

Holiday Inn Verona is an ideal choice to stay in Verona. The hotel is ideally located and the staff very courteous. Holiday Inn has the reputation of providing the best facilities to customers and we were not disappointed with our choice to stay there.

Holiday Inn Verona

Holiday Inn Verona

Pin this for later…

Save this blog to have a wonderful visit to Verona. This post was first published in this blog on 07 June 2010.

Top Attractions of Verona Italy

 

Highlights of Florence Cathedral Interior, a Photo Essay
St. Michael’s Tower - Last Preserved Gate of Bratislava

27 Responses to “7 Top Attractions of Verona Italy, Day Trip from Venice

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.